DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicants’ submission filed on 09/08/2026 has been entered.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
Claims 16, 18-23, 25-30 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over HAN et al. (US 2021/0144658) in view of CHEN et al. (US 2024/0032008).
Regarding claim 16, HAN et al. (US 2021/0144658) teaches a method performed by a first base station in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: receiving, from a second base station, capability information of the second base station, the capability information indicating whether the second base station supports measurement gap (i.e., a master node interacts with a secondary node about a measurement gap configuration capability of a base station side through an X2 interface, or in a scenario of new radio new radio dual connectivity (NN-DC), the master node interacts with the secondary node about the measurement gap configuration capability of the base station side through an Xn interface [0092]-[0094], S502, the master node requests a gap pattern configuration through an SN modification required message [figs. 11-12], [0142]-[0146]; it is required for the secondary node to notify the master node, in an indication manner, whether the secondary node itself has delivered the LTE inter-frequency measurement [0149]; S601, the secondary node sends an SN modification required message to the master node, and notifies the master node whether the secondary node side delivers or detects the LTE inter-frequency measurement [0151]); in case that the second base station supports the measurement gaps transmitting, to the second base station, measurement gap configuration (i.e., S503, the master node performs the gap configuration, and sends the gap configuration information to the secondary node side through an SN modification confirm message [0143]-[0148]). Han further teaches wherein the capability information is included in an inter-node RRC message or Xn message (i.e., indicating through an explicit information element in an RRC inter-node message carried in the X2 or Xn message [0083]), wherein a user equipment (UE) is connected to the first base station acting as a master node (MN) and the second base station acting as a secondary node (SN) (i.e., where the UE is connected to the master node and a secondary node simultaneously, the master node is an eNB or a gNB, and the secondary node is a gNB or an eNB [0100]-[0104]).
HAN does not specifically disclose whether the base station supports multiple measurement gaps, a preconfigured gap or network controlled small gap (NCSG).
However, the preceding limitation is known in the art of communications. Chen teaches The measurement gap may be configured by a measurement gap configuration (MeasGapConfig) information element (IE) that specifies the measurement gap configuration and control setup/release of measurement gaps ([0037]-[0039]). Various RRM features are being added to Release 17 networks. These include preconfigured MGs, multiple concurrent and independent MGs, and network controlled small gaps (NCSGs). The preconfigured MG feature may allow the network to indicate to the UE whether a preconfigured MG is activated for each BWP. Then, if the UE works on a particular BWP, the UE does not need to apply MG to save the scheduling opportunity. The preconfigured MG may be applicable to all MOs. Thus, the UE may activate/deactivate the preconfigured MG based only on the BWP on which it is operating. The network may provide the activation/deactivation indication to the UE for each BWP, or the UE and network may perform a common criteria check that is determinative as to when the preconfigured MG is to be activated/deactivated. Thus, this design of the preconfigured MG provides that, for each configured BWP, the UE/NW needs to determine whether the pre-configured gap should be applied. The determination may be done by the network, which may send an explicit indication with an on/off flag, or by the UE without the on/off flag ([0047]-[0048]) for preconfigured measurement gaps, either NCSG or legacy gap may be possible ([0051]-0053]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, at the time of the invention, to have implemented the technique of Chen within the system of HAN in order to provide Measurement gap (MG) capability information on a per-UE basis in measurement and mobility parameters. This information may include an inter-frequency-measurement-no-gap field to indicate whether the UE can perform inter-frequency SSB based measurements without measurement gaps if the SSB is completely contained in the active BWP of the UE.
Han in view of Chen does not specifically teach in case that the second base station does not support the multiple measurement gaps, the preconfigured gap or the NCSG, transmitting, to a user equipment (UE), reconfiguration information including information indicating single measurement gap.
However, the preceding limitation is known in the art of communications. Tang teaches When there is no measurement gap configured among master cell group (MCG) and secondary cell group (SCG) cell subframes, the E-UTRAN may explicitly provide a single NCSG pattern with a constant repetition period per serving carrier. When Gap Pattern ID #0 is configured for UE 110 on MCG or SCG and no measurement gap is configured on SCG or MCG, a single NCSG pattern with NCSG Pattern ID #2 per Table 1 may be implicitly configured on SCG or MCG ([0025])… Example two may include the subject matter of example one or any of the examples described herein, wherein the NCSG pattern comprises a single NCSG pattern with a constant repetition period for the UE if no measurement gap is configured among a primary cell and one or more secondary cell subframes ([0117]-[0124]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one ordinary skill in the art, at the time of the invention, to have implemented the technique of Tang within the system of Han in view of Chen in order to maximize data throughput and eliminate scheduling interruptions when the User Equipment (UE) is operating in Dual Connectivity (DC) without measurement gaps.
Regarding claim 18, HAN in view of CHEN further in view of Tang teaches all the limitations above. HAN further teaches wherein the capability information is included in an inter-node RRC message or Xn message, wherein the capability information include maximum number of measurement gaps, maximum number of NCSG, maximum number of measurement gaps and NCSG together, maximum number of preconfigured gaps, maximum number of per UE or per FR gaps, and information indicating whether the second base station supports measurement gap separately for per UE, per FR1, or per FR2 (i.e., S702, the secondary node determines whether the secondary node supports the pre-FR gap (including FR2 gap configuration and per-FR scheduling support) through an X2/Xn setup response message [0128]e [0149]-[0156], [0162]).
Regarding claim 19, HAN in view of CHEN further in view of Tang teaches all the limitations above. HAN further teaches transmitting, to the second base station, information indicating a number of measurement gaps that are allocated ([0108]-[0109], [0130]).
Regarding claim 20, HAN in view of CHEN further in view of Tang teaches all the limitations above. HAN further teaches transmitting, to the second base station, information indicating whether the second base station is allowed to configure the preconfigured gap, the NCSG, and the multiple measurement gaps, based on the capability information (i.e., The preconfigured MG feature may allow the network to indicate to the UE whether a preconfigured MG is activated for each BWP [0047]-[0048], [0052], and [0136]).
Regarding claim 21, HAN in view of CHEN further in view of Tang teaches all the limitations above. CHEN further teaches receiving, from the second base station, information indicating at least one frequency to be measured, information indicating whether pre-configuration of measurement gap is required for the at least one frequency, and initial activation status required of the preconfigured gap for the at least one frequency (i.e., The preconfigured MG feature may allow the network to indicate to the UE whether a preconfigured MG is activated for each BWP… Thus, the UE may activate/deactivate the preconfigured MG based only on the BWP on which it is operating. The network may provide the activation/deactivation indication to the UE for each BWP, or the UE and network may perform a common criteria check that is determinative as to when the preconfigured MG is to be activated/deactivated [0047]-[0048]).
Regarding claim 22, HAN in view of CHEN further in view of Tang teaches all the limitations above. CHEN further teaches receiving, from the second base station, information indicating activation status of the preconfigured gap ([0047]-[0048]).
A method performed by a first base station in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: receiving, from a second base station, capability information of the second base station, the capability information indicating whether the second base station supports multiple measurement gaps, a preconfigured gap or network controlled small gap (NCSG), wherein the capability information is included in an inter-node RRC message or Xn message; in case that the second base station supports the multiple measurement gaps, the preconfigured gap or the NCSG, transmitting, to the second base station, measurement gap configuration
Regarding claim 23, HAN et al. (US 2021/0144658) teaches first base station in a wireless communication system, the first base station comprising: at least one transceiver; and at least one processor coupled to the at least one transceiver (inherent features of base station) and configured to: receive, from a second base station, capability information of the second base station, the capability information indicating whether the second base station supports supports measurement gap (i.e., a master node interacts with a secondary node about a measurement gap configuration capability of a base station side through an X2 interface, or in a scenario of new radio new radio dual connectivity (NN-DC), the master node interacts with the secondary node about the measurement gap configuration capability of the base station side through an Xn interface [0092]-[0094], S502, the master node requests a gap pattern configuration through an SN modification required message [figs. 11-12], [0142]-[0146]; it is required for the secondary node to notify the master node, in an indication manner, whether the secondary node itself has delivered the LTE inter-frequency measurement [0149]; S601, the secondary node sends an SN modification required message to the master node, and notifies the master node whether the secondary node side delivers or detects the LTE inter-frequency measurement [0151]); and transmit, to the second base station, measurement gap configuration in case that the second base station supports the measurement gaps (i.e., S503, the master node performs the gap configuration, and sends the gap configuration information to the secondary node side through an SN modification confirm message [0143]-[0148]). Han further teaches wherein the capability information is included in an inter-node RRC message or Xn message (i.e., indicating through an explicit information element in an RRC inter-node message carried in the X2 or Xn message [0083]), wherein a user equipment (UE) is connected to the first base station acting as a master node (MN) and the second base station acting as a secondary node (SN) (i.e., where the UE is connected to the master node and a secondary node simultaneously, the master node is an eNB or a gNB, and the secondary node is a gNB or an eNB [0100]-[0104]).
HAN does not specifically disclose whether the base station supports multiple measurement gaps, a preconfigured gap or network controlled small gap (NCSG).
However, the preceding limitation is known in the art of communications. Chen teaches The measurement gap may be configured by a measurement gap configuration (MeasGapConfig) information element (IE) that specifies the measurement gap configuration and control setup/release of measurement gaps ([0037]-[0039]). Various RRM features are being added to Release 17 networks. These include preconfigured MGs, multiple concurrent and independent MGs, and network controlled small gaps (NCSGs). The preconfigured MG feature may allow the network to indicate to the UE whether a preconfigured MG is activated for each BWP. Then, if the UE works on a particular BWP, the UE does not need to apply MG to save the scheduling opportunity. The preconfigured MG may be applicable to all MOs. Thus, the UE may activate/deactivate the preconfigured MG based only on the BWP on which it is operating. The network may provide the activation/deactivation indication to the UE for each BWP, or the UE and network may perform a common criteria check that is determinative as to when the preconfigured MG is to be activated/deactivated. Thus, this design of the preconfigured MG provides that, for each configured BWP, the UE/NW needs to determine whether the pre-configured gap should be applied. The determination may be done by the network, which may send an explicit indication with an on/off flag, or by the UE without the on/off flag ([0047]-[0048]) for preconfigured measurement gaps, either NCSG or legacy gap may be possible ([0053]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, at the time of the invention, to have implemented the technique of Chen within the system of HAN in order to provide Measurement gap (MG) capability information on a per-UE basis in measurement and mobility parameters. This information may include an inter-frequency-measurement-no-gap field to indicate whether the UE can perform inter-frequency SSB based measurements without measurement gaps if the SSB is completely contained in the active BWP of the UE.
Han in view of Chen does not specifically teach in case that the second base station does not support the multiple measurement gaps, the preconfigured gap or the NCSG, transmitting, to a user equipment (UE), reconfiguration information including information indicating single measurement gap.
However, the preceding limitation is known in the art of communications. Tang teaches When there is no measurement gap configured among master cell group (MCG) and secondary cell group (SCG) cell subframes, the E-UTRAN may explicitly provide a single NCSG pattern with a constant repetition period per serving carrier. When Gap Pattern ID #0 is configured for UE 110 on MCG or SCG and no measurement gap is configured on SCG or MCG, a single NCSG pattern with NCSG Pattern ID #2 per Table 1 may be implicitly configured on SCG or MCG ([0025])… Example two may include the subject matter of example one or any of the examples described herein, wherein the NCSG pattern comprises a single NCSG pattern with a constant repetition period for the UE if no measurement gap is configured among a primary cell and one or more secondary cell subframes ([0117]-[0124]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one ordinary skill in the art, at the time of the invention, to have implemented the technique of Tang within the system of Han in view of Chen in order to maximize data throughput and eliminate scheduling interruptions when the User Equipment (UE) is operating in Dual Connectivity (DC) without measurement gaps.
Regarding claim 25, HAN in view of CHEN in view of Tang teaches all the limitations above. HAN further teaches wherein the capability information is included in an inter-node RRC message or Xn message, wherein the capability information include maximum number of measurement gaps, maximum number of NCSG, maximum number of measurement gaps and NCSG together, maximum number of preconfigured gaps, maximum number of per UE or per FR gaps, and information indicating whether the second base station supports measurement gap separately for per UE, per FR1, or per FR2 (i.e., S702, the secondary node determines whether the secondary node supports the pre-FR gap (including FR2 gap configuration and per-FR scheduling support) through an X2/Xn setup response message [0128]e [0149]-[0156], [0162]).
Regarding claim 26, HAN in view of CHEN in view of Tang teaches all the limitations above. HAN further teaches transmitting, to the second base station, information indicating a number of measurement gaps that are allocated ([0108]-[0109], [0130]).
Regarding claim 27, HAN in view of CHEN in view of Tang teaches all the limitations above. HAN further teaches transmitting, to the second base station, information indicating whether the second base station is allowed to configure the preconfigured gap, the NCSG, and the multiple measurement gaps, based on the capability information (i.e., The preconfigured MG feature may allow the network to indicate to the UE whether a preconfigured MG is activated for each BWP [0047]-[0048], [0052], and [0136]).
Regarding claim 28, HAN in view of CHEN in view of Tang teaches all the limitations above. CHEN further teaches receiving, from the second base station, information indicating at least one frequency to be measured, information indicating whether pre-configuration of measurement gap is required for the at least one frequency, and initial activation status required of the preconfigured gap for the at least one frequency (i.e., The preconfigured MG feature may allow the network to indicate to the UE whether a preconfigured MG is activated for each BWP… Thus, the UE may activate/deactivate the preconfigured MG based only on the BWP on which it is operating. The network may provide the activation/deactivation indication to the UE for each BWP, or the UE and network may perform a common criteria check that is determinative as to when the preconfigured MG is to be activated/deactivated [0047]-[0048]).
Regarding claim 29, HAN in view of CHEN in view of Tang teaches all the limitations above. CHEN further teaches receive, from the second base station, information indicating activation status of the preconfigured gap ([0047]-[0048]).
Regarding claim 30, HAN et al. (US 2021/0144658) teaches a method performed by a second base station in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: transmitting, to a first base station, capability information of the second base station, the capability information indicating whether the second base station supports measurement gap (i.e., a master node interacts with a secondary node about a measurement gap configuration capability of a base station side through an X2 interface, or in a scenario of new radio new radio dual connectivity (NN-DC), the master node interacts with the secondary node about the measurement gap configuration capability of the base station side through an Xn interface [0092]-[0094], S502, the master node requests a gap pattern configuration through an SN modification required message [figs. 11-12], [0142]-[0146]; it is required for the secondary node to notify the master node, in an indication manner, whether the secondary node itself has delivered the LTE inter-frequency measurement [0149]; S601, the secondary node sends an SN modification required message to the master node, and notifies the master node whether the secondary node side delivers or detects the LTE inter-frequency measurement [0151]); and receiving, from the first base station, measurement gap configuration in case that the second base station supports the measurement gaps (i.e., S503, the master node performs the gap configuration, and sends the gap configuration information to the secondary node side through an SN modification confirm message [0143]-[0148]). Han further teaches wherein the capability information is included in an inter-node RRC message or Xn message (i.e., indicating through an explicit information element in an RRC inter-node message carried in the X2 or Xn message [0083]), wherein a user equipment (UE) is connected to the first base station acting as a master node (MN) and the second base station acting as a secondary node (SN) (i.e., where the UE is connected to the master node and a secondary node simultaneously, the master node is an eNB or a gNB, and the secondary node is a gNB or an eNB [0100]-[0104]).
HAN does not specifically disclose whether the base station supports multiple measurement gaps, a preconfigured gap or network controlled small gap (NCSG).
However, the preceding limitation is known in the art of communications. Chen teaches The measurement gap may be configured by a measurement gap configuration (MeasGapConfig) information element (IE) that specifies the measurement gap configuration and control setup/release of measurement gaps ([0037]-[0039]). Various RRM features are being added to Release 17 networks. These include preconfigured MGs, multiple concurrent and independent MGs, and network controlled small gaps (NCSGs). The preconfigured MG feature may allow the network to indicate to the UE whether a preconfigured MG is activated for each BWP. Then, if the UE works on a particular BWP, the UE does not need to apply MG to save the scheduling opportunity. The preconfigured MG may be applicable to all MOs. Thus, the UE may activate/deactivate the preconfigured MG based only on the BWP on which it is operating. The network may provide the activation/deactivation indication to the UE for each BWP, or the UE and network may perform a common criteria check that is determinative as to when the preconfigured MG is to be activated/deactivated. Thus, this design of the preconfigured MG provides that, for each configured BWP, the UE/NW needs to determine whether the pre-configured gap should be applied. The determination may be done by the network, which may send an explicit indication with an on/off flag, or by the UE without the on/off flag ([0047]-[0048]) for preconfigured measurement gaps, either NCSG or legacy gap may be possible ([0053]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, at the time of the invention, to have implemented the technique of Chen within the system of HAN in order to provide Measurement gap (MG) capability information on a per-UE basis in measurement and mobility parameters. This information may include an inter-frequency-measurement-no-gap field to indicate whether the UE can perform inter-frequency SSB based measurements without measurement gaps if the SSB is completely contained in the active BWP of the UE.
Han in view of Chen does not specifically teach in case that the second base station does not support the multiple measurement gaps, the preconfigured gap or the NCSG, transmitting, to a user equipment (UE), reconfiguration information including information indicating single measurement gap.
However, the preceding limitation is known in the art of communications. Tang teaches When there is no measurement gap configured among master cell group (MCG) and secondary cell group (SCG) cell subframes, the E-UTRAN may explicitly provide a single NCSG pattern with a constant repetition period per serving carrier. When Gap Pattern ID #0 is configured for UE 110 on MCG or SCG and no measurement gap is configured on SCG or MCG, a single NCSG pattern with NCSG Pattern ID #2 per Table 1 may be implicitly configured on SCG or MCG ([0025])… Example two may include the subject matter of example one or any of the examples described herein, wherein the NCSG pattern comprises a single NCSG pattern with a constant repetition period for the UE if no measurement gap is configured among a primary cell and one or more secondary cell subframes ([0117]-[0124]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one ordinary skill in the art, at the time of the invention, to have implemented the technique of Tang within the system of Han in view of Chen in order to maximize data throughput and eliminate scheduling interruptions when the User Equipment (UE) is operating in Dual Connectivity (DC) without measurement gaps.
Conclusion
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/JEAN A GELIN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2643
